Reversing fluid motor of rotary abutment type



5. 17, 195% BERRY REVERSING FLUID MOTOR OF ROTARY ABUTMENT TYPE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 24. 1946.

IN VEN TOR. 5% NK BERRY ATTORNEY Jan. 17, 1950 F, BERRY REVERSING FLUID MOTOR 0F ROTARY ABUTMENT TYPE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 24, 1946 I mgzvrofi N fim/vk BERRY m ATTORNEY T TYPE Jan. 17, 1950 F. BERRY REVERSING FLUID MOTOR OF ROTARY ABUTMEN Filed July 24, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 a & a

g i' QM TTOENEY I Jan. 17, 1950 F. BERRY REVERSING FLUID MOTOR 0F ROTARY ABUTMENT TYPE Filed July 24, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ZZZ 231 241 IN VEN TOR. PR4 NA BERRY A] 'TORNEY Patented Jan. 17, 1950 2,495,088

UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE REVERSING FLUID MOTOR OF ROTARY ABUTMENT TYPE Frank Berry, Corinth, Miss. Application July 24, 1946, Serial No. 686,005

1 4 Claims. (01. 121-72) The invention relates to air motors or other let passage of an adjacent cylinder for either difluid motors of the rotary abutment type, and rection of rotation of the shaft and pistons so particularly to reversing multi-stage motors. that, characterizing the opposed passages of each It is a primary object of my invention to prO- cylinder as left and right, the rotary valve vide a multi-stage rotary abutment fluid motor element is settable to a position (Fig. 9) wherein which will run efficiently in forward and reverse, one of the diagonal passageways 26 connects the and in which left or right hand rotation of the left passage 22L of one cylinder to the right pasdriven shaft is determined by a simple unitary sage 23B of a second cylinder, and wherein anreversing valve which will be effective t change other of the diagonal passageways 21 connects the the direction of rotation of the shaft while feedleft passage 23L of the second cylinder to the ing the operating fluid through the several stages right passage 24R of a third cylinder, the rotary in the same sequence for both directions of rovalve element also being settable to a position tation. (Fig. 10) wherein the first diagonal passageway A further object is to provide a motor of the 26 connects the right passage 22B of the first characteristics described which also embodies a cylind r to th l t pa sa e L f th s d reversing mechanism having means for increascylinder, and wherein the second diagonal pasing starting torque effective in both forward and sageway 1 n s h r ht p ssa R of reverse without separate adjustment. the second cylinder to the left passage 24L of the Other objects and advantages of my invention h rd y rwill appear as the description proceeds. The rotary Valve element s O p In the drawings: ways 28, 29 extending thereacross, one to connect Fig. l is a central vertical longitudinal sectional selectively the ight and left passages 22R a view of a three-stage air motor embodying my n- 22L of the first stage cylinder to an inlet duct vention in its preferred form. and the other to connect selectively the left and Fig. 2 is an end elevation View of the same 5 right passages of the last stage cylinder to an motor as seen at 2-2 in Fig. 1. outlet duct 3| according to the respective de- Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are vertical transverse secscribed settings of the rotary ve e eme t. tional views taken as indicated at 33, 4-4 and It W l b b rv ha he valve passageway 5-5, respectively, in Fig. 1, and showing the first, 26 and 21 are arranged in overlapping relationship second, and third stage cylinders of th nit 30 with their adjacent ends substantially opposite Fig. 6 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken One the whereby the valve element 25 can be as indicated at 6-6 in Fig 1, it t rotary set in either of the two selected positions illusvalve element shown in full t vi trated in Figs. 9 and 10 in which said adjacent Figs. '7 and 8 are detail vertical sectional views ends of the passageways are in communication of the rotary valve and adjoining passages, taken .5 With the pail of Opposed passages and on t hhes 1.4 and 3 respectively of It will further be observed that the outer end of Fig 9 is a View imilar to Fig 6 but with the each diagonal passageway 26, 21 is substantially rotary valve element shown in section. The posi- Opposite one of the end Passages 23, End P t of t parts is t t which will produce right sageway 28 is formed as a recess in the exterior of h t t of t driven haft e" clock- 4o the valve element, this recess being so constructed i as i d in Figs 2, 3 4 and 5, as partially to surround the adjacent diagonal Fig 0 is a View similar t Fig. 9, except t passageway 26 as will be clear from Fig. 3 of the the position of the parts is that which will prodrawings- Similarly e her end passageway 29 d left hand t t of t driven shaft 1 is formed as a recess in the exterior of the valve counter-clockwise as viewed in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5. element, this recess being eififl My invention comprises, in t general tially to surround the adjacent diagonal pasrangement, annular cylinders ll, l2 and [3 ar- Sageway as Will be ppa e t f om examination ranged about a common shaft In in axial alignf A feature of his p rti ar cons ru ment, pistons l5, l6 and I! in th respective tion is that it permits alternate connection of the cylinders fixed for rotation with the shaft, an 50 inlet d outlet ports to left and right bend p abutment rotor 18 parallel to the shaft having re- S s arranged opp ite one another.

cesses I9, 20 and 2| to clear the pistons as they In my preferred construction a sma l p n n pass the abutment rotor, a ai of opposed pas- 32 provides direct communication between end sages communicating with each cylinder at oppassageway 23 and the first diagonal p posite sides of the abutment (22L and ZZR-first 5 way 6- Wh h m r s fi s star ed hi h stage, 23L and 23R-second stage, 24L and 24B- pressure air directly enters the high pressure or third stage), a rotary valve element 25 formed first stage cylinder II through passage MB or with passageways 26, 21 extending diagonally 22L as the case may be. Also high pressure air thereacross, each passageway arranged to condirectly enters the second stage cylinder I2 via nect an outlet passage of one cylinder to an inthe opening 32 aforesaid, thus raising the pressure in the second stage cylinder and increasing the torque of the motor for starting and for low speed operation. At high speeds the velocity of the air through the passages is so great that only a small quantity of the high pressure air passes through the opening 32 in proportion to the amount which reaches the second stage cylinder via the outlet passage of the first stage cylinder. Thus my reversing mechanism provides means for increasing the starting torque and low speed torque eiTective in both forward and reverse without separate adjustment.

.It will be appreciated that my reversing mechanism is applicable to motors having a fewer or greater number of cylinders than in the preferred embodiment illustrated; also that the construction of the motor may be modified in other respects. However in order that my invention may be fully understood in its preferred embodiment, I shall now describe this particular construction in somewhat greater detail.

The lower parts of the annular cylinders i 6, l2 and I3 are formed in the bottom casing mei ber 33 and the upper parts in the top casing member 34. The two casing members are joined together at the center line of the shaft M by means of suitable flanges bolted together as at 35. Top casing member 34 also houses the rotary abutment l8 and the rotary valve element 25. The two casing members are counter bored at 33, 3?, 38, 39 to receive bearing members 4D and bearing rings ti for the motor shaft I4 and rotary abutment I8 respectively. The ends of the shaft and rotary abutment are ofiset to smaller diameter at their ends as at 22 and 43, and are threaded to receive nuts is, 55 with suitable lock washers or set screws as shown. End casing membersit and i? complete the casing assembly, these members being secured to the top and bottom casing members by suitable stud bolts 43. End casing members at and 4'! are bored to receive the motor shaft It and counter-bored to receive packing glands 59. End casing member at is also bored to receive the end 50 of rotary valve element 25 and counterbored to receive a packing gland i therefor. The ends 52, 53 of valve element are of reduced diameter and abut the end casing members 4G and 47. Interiorly threaded coupling members 54 and 55 may be cast into the top casing member 34 for connection respectively to inlet and outlet pipes (not shown).

The pistons l5, l8 and i? are bolted, as at 56, or otherwise secured to rotor rings 5?, 555, 5d keyed at 65 to the shaft it, these rings being of the same width as the respective cylinders, as will be clear from Fig. l, and being of the same thickness as the top wall of the shaft opening in the top casing member 3-1 so as to have rolling contact with the rotary abutment it, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, l and 5.

The position of the rotary valve element 25 is controlled by reversing lever 8i which is keyed to the stub shaft 50 as by a pin 52. Stub shaft '50 may be cast in place in the valve element 25 to which it is locked by a pin 83 (Figs. 9 and 10). A look pin 64 fastened to a knob 65 provides means for holding the reversing lever in the desired position. This locking pin passes through an opening in the lever 52' and is formed with a collar 66 near its inner end arranged to seat against the end of one or more of the stud bolts 48 with its inner end projecting into the wrench opening therein. A coil spring 6? surrounding the lock pin 64 bears at one end against the bottom of the recess in the lever BI and at its other end against the collar 66, urging the pin into its locking position and permitting its retraction by means of the knob 65 when the motor is to be reversed.

The chambers in the top casing member 34 which receive the valve plug 25 and rotary abutment [8 are connected by small openings 68 (Figs. 1, 3 and 5). These openings serve a two-fold purpose, draining the oil that may accumulate in the valve chamber and equalizing the air pressure on the valve so that it can be turned easily for reversing the motor.

Notches or grooves 69 hollow shaft shaft of the by the motor.

The position of the parts, as shown in all of the views, excepting Fig. 10, corresponds to the setting for forward operation of the motor, i. e. right hand or clockwise rotation of the driven shaft M as viewed in Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5. The position shown in Fig. 10 and indicated in dotd'ash lines at in Fig. 2, is that which will produce reverse operation of the motor, i. e. left hand or counter-clockwise rotation of the driven shaft M.

With the valve v25 in the right hand position shown in Fig. 9, operation is as follows: High pressure air enters the unit through the inlet 3e, traverses passageway 28 of the valve, passage 22R, of the first stage cylinder, entering cylinder H, carrying piston '15 around in a clockwise direction. After this piston advances slightly beyond the position shown in Fig. 3 and begins to enter recess 19 in the rotary abutment, the expanding air in cylinder H flows through passage 22L, from which it flows through passageway 26 of the valve (Fig. 9) and passage 23R leading into the second stage cylinder (Fig. 4) the piston it of which is in advance of the first stage piston. After piston 16 passes the end of passage 23L, the air which was behind the piston it expands through passage 23L from which it flows through passageway 27 (Fig. 9) into passage 24B of the third stage cylinder (Fig. 5), the piston l 7 of which is 120 in advance of the piston It of the second stage piston. Air exhausting from the third stage cylinder flows through passage ML and across end passageway 29 of the valve 25 into the outlet 3 I.

With the lever 25 in the position shown in Fig. 10, flow through the motor is as follows: Inlet 3G, transverse passageway 25, passage 22L, cylinder i I, passage 22R, passageway 26, passage 23L, cylinder l2, passage 23R, passageway 27, passage 25L, cylinder I3, passage MR, transverse passageway 29, outlet 3|.

It will be observed that the direction of rotation of the motor shaft is reversed by simply moving the lever H from the position shown in Fig. '9 to that shown in Fig. 10 or vice versa, and that the operating fluid always flows through the several stages in the same sequence, that is, the air expands sequentially through cylinders l I, I2 and :3 for both directions of rotation. The reversing valve itself embodies means for increasing the e 'arting torque and the torque at low speeds which is effective in both forward and reverse without separate adjustment.

The terms and expressions which 'I have employed are used in a descriptive and not a limiting sense, and I have no intention of excluding such equivalents of the invention described, or of on the inside of the M provide for connection to the apparatus which is to be driven portions thereof, as fall within the purview of the claims.

I claim:

1. A rotary-piston motor comprising annular cylinders arranged about a common shaft in axial alignment, a piston in each cylinder fixed for rotation with the shaft, an abutment rotor parallel to the shaft having recesses to clear the pistons as they pass the abutment rotor, a pair of op posed passages communicating with each cylinder at opposite sides of the abutment, each of said opposed passages serving either as an inlet or outlet passage in accordance with the selected direction of rotation of the shaft and pistons, a rotary valve element formed with a passageway extending diagonally thereacross and arranged to conconnect an outlet passage of one cylinder to an inlet passage of an adjacent cylinder for either direction of rotation of the shaft and pistons so that, characterizing the opposed passages of each cylinder as left and right, the rotary valve element is settable to a position wherein the diagonal passageway connects the left passage of one cylinder to the right passage of the adjacent cylinder, and is also settable to a position wherein the diagonal passageway connects the right passage of said one cylinder to the left passage of said adjacent cylinder, the rotary valve element having another passageway extending thereacross to connect selectively the right and left passages of said one cylinder to an inlet duct according to the respective described settings of the rotary valve element, and having a small opening between said other passageway and the diagonal passageway to provide direct communication therebetween.

2. A rotary-piston motor comprising annular cylinders arrange about a common shaft in axial alignment, a piston in each cylinder fixed for rotation with the shaft, an abutment rotor parallel to the shaft having recesses to clear the pistons as they pass the abutment rotor, a pair of opposed passages communicating with each cylinder at opposite sides of the abutment, each of said opposed passages serving either as an inlet or outlet passage in accordance with the selected direction of rotation of the shaft and pistons, a rotary valve element formed with passageways extending diagonally thereacross, each passageway arranged to connect an outlet passage of one cylinder to an inlet passage of an adjacent cylinder for either direction of rotation of the shaft and pistons so that, characterizing the opposed passages of each cylinder as left and right, the rotary valve element is settable to a position wherein one of the diagonal passageways connects the left passage of one cylinder to the right passage of a second cylinder and wherein another of the diagonal passageways connects the left passage of the second cylinder to the right passage of a third cylinder, the rotary valve element also being settable to a position wherein the first diagonal passageway connects the right passage of the first cylinder to the left passage of the second cylinder and wherein the second passageway connects the right passageway of the second cylinder to the left passageway of the third cylinder, the rotary valve element having another passageway extending thereacross to connect selectively the right and left passageways of the first cylinder to an inlet duct according to the respective described settings of the rotary valve element, and

having a small opening between said other passageway and that diagonal passageway which connects passages of the first and second cylinders to provide direct communication between said other passageway and said last-named diagonal passageway.

3. A rotary-piston motor comprising annular cylinders arranged about a common shaft in axial alignment, a piston in each cylinder fixed for rotation with the shaft, an abutment rotor parallel to the shaft having recesses to clear the pistons as they pass the abutment rotor, a pair of opposed passages communicating with each cylinder at opposite sides of the abutment, each of said opposed passages serving either as an inlet or outlet passage in accordance with the selected direction of rotation of the shaft and pistons, an inlet duct adjoining the pair of opposed passages for the cylinder at one end of the motor and an outlet duct adjoining the pair of opposed passages for the cylinder at the other end of the motor, and a rotary valve element formed with passageways extending diagonally thereacross and end passageways extending thereacross at each side of said diagonal passageways, the several passageways being arranged in overlapping relationship so that the inner ends of the diagonal passageways are substantially Opposite one another and the outer end of each diagonal passageway is substantially opposite one of said end passages, the end passageways of the rotary valve element being formed as recesses in the exterior of the valve element, such recesses extending on both sides of the adjacent diagonal passageways so as partially to surround them.

4. A rotary-piston motor comprising annular cylinders arranged about a common shaft in axial alignment, a piston in each cylinder fixed for rotation with the shaft, an abutment rotor parallel to the shaft having recesses to clear the pistons as they pass the abutment rotor, a pair of opposed passages communicating with each cylinder at opposite sides of the abutment, each of said opposed passages serving either as an inlet or outlet passage in accordance with the selected direction of rotation of the shaft and pistons, a rotary valve element formed with a passageway extending diagonally thereacross and arranged to connect an outlet passage of one cylinder to an inlet passage of an adjacent cylinder for either direction of rotation of the shaft and pistons so that, characterizing the opposed passages of each cylinder as left and right, the rotary valve element is settable to a position wherein the diagonal passageway connects the left passage of one cylinder to the right passage of the adjacent cylinder, and is also settable to a position wherein the diagonal passageway connects the right passage of said one cylinder to the left passage of said adjacent cylinder, the diagonal passageway being of progressively increasing cross-sectional area throughout its length.

F. BERRY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the, file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 655,609 Cooper Aug. '7, 1900 785,408 Cooper Mar. 21, 1905 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,495,088 January 17, 1950 FRANK BERRY It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 1, line 25. for the word elevation read devotional; column 5, line 16, strike out the syllable and hyphen con-; line 38, for arrange read arranged;

lines 66 and 67, for passageway read passage;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 30th day of May, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

